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Veda Burman Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated On - Feb 3, 2025
Scholarships for Indian students in USA are crucial to manage the high expenses of tuition, living, and travel. The USA offers between 1,000 and 3,500+ scholarships to Indian students each year, helping reduce the financial burden of studying abroad. Top universities like Harvard University and Stanford University provide merit-based scholarships for international students in USA based on academic excellence. Some scholarships cover full tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, while others provide partial funding. Popular Scholarships in USA include Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, You Are Welcome Here Scholarship, and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships, offering awards ranging from 3,000 to 100,000 USD.
Competition for fully funded awards in USA is quite high, however, a strong academic record, leadership experience, and a well-prepared application can improve your chances of securing scholarships to study in USA. Furthermore, scholarships in the USA can significantly ease costs for Indians, as the average annual cost of living is around 30,000 USD (~26 lakhs INR). This amount is nearly 237% higher than the average cost of living in India. US scholarships for Indian students, such as the American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship and Civil Society Leadership Award, cover living expenses like rent and food.
Also Check: Collegedunia $1000 Student Essay Scholarship
- Documents Required for Scholarships in USA
- Undergraduate Scholarships for Indian Students in USA
- Masters Scholarships to Study in USA
- MBA Scholarships in USA for Indian Students
- PhD Scholarships in USA for Indians
- Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
- Tips to Get a Scholarship in USA
- USA Education Loan for Indian Students
- FAQs
Documents Required for Scholarships in USA
Important documents are also required for a successful scholarship in USA. The required documents are given below:
Undergraduate Scholarships for Indian Students in USA
To apply to different programs and universities in USA, international students need to demonstrate proof of availability of finances in their account. Candidates applying from India to the UG programs in USA can apply for the following scholarships:
| Scholarship | Application Deadline | Awarded To | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship | December 1, 2025 | International students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an American university | GPA equivalent of 3.8 out of 4.0 (or in the top 10% of graduating class) for 9th-12th grades | 95+ in TOEFL iBT or equivalent | 40,000 USD per year |
| ICSP Scholarship at University of Oregon | February 14, 2025 | International students at University of Oregon, demonstrating financial need and academic merit (3.5 cumulative GPA ~90%) | Partial tuition waiver, renewable every year |
| Clark Merit Scholarships | Early Decision II and Regular – February 1, 2025 | Early Decision I and Early Action – December 1, 2025 | Excellent academic ability | Varies |
| Yale Scholarship | January 10, 2025 | Awarded to international students based on their merit | Up to 70,000 USD (Average: 50,000 USD) |
USD 1 = INR 86.70 as on February 1, 2025
Masters Scholarships to Study in USA
If you are applying for graduate programs, you can avail of different full scholarships to study in USA. Some most popular and available scholarships to study in the USA for graduate programs are given below:
| Scholarship | Application Deadline | Awarded To | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women | December 15, 2025 | International women students pursuing graduate programs in the USA. | Up to 12,500 USD |
| Obama Foundation Scholars’ Program | 2025-26 applications closed | 2026-27 application opening to be declared | Leadership potential, meaningful contribution in their field, fluency in English | Covers the tuition fees |
| Civil Society Leadership Award | Fall: September 15, 2025 | Awarded to international students based on their academic merit. | Covers tuition and travel expenses, living expenses |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships | February 2025 onwards | International students pursuing a Professional Development Certificate Program or Masters’ Degree Program related to peace and conflict resolution. | Fully funded, covers the tuition fees, transportation expenses, etc. |
USD 1 = INR 86.70 as on February 1, 2025
MBA Scholarships in USA for Indian Students
For candidates applying to the MBA programs in USA, some popular scholarships available are listed below:
| Scholarship | Application Deadline | Eligibility | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford GSB Need-based Fellowship | April 3, 2025 (Materials for MBA) | Demonstrated financial need | Approx. 47,000 USD per year or 94,000 USD in total |
| Stanford GSB Bold Fellows Fund | Program application deadline | Students with demonstrated financial hardships and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. | Approx. 15,000 USD per fellow per year or around 30,000 USD for 2 years MBA |
| Joseph Warton Fellowship | May 15, 2025 | Single degree or dual degree students in The Wharton School | Approx. 20,000 USD |
| George Leadership Fellowship | CPL will automatically contact students early in their 2nd-year spring semester | Students must have leadership skills | 12,000 USD |
| MIT Sloan Social Impact Fellowship | Application in April and decision in May | MBA students taking part in societal challenges in their internship | Up to 20,000 USD |
| Charles J. Schaniel Scholarship | 1 outstanding student with an interest or background in accounting | Outstanding academic achievement | Varies |
USD 1 = INR 86.70 as on February 1, 2025
PhD Scholarships in USA for Indians
International scholarships for PhD candidates are available in the top universities of USA. These scholarships are awarded based on their research excellence, publications, etc. Given below are some of the PhD scholarships to study in the USA for Indian scholars:
| Scholarship | Application Deadline | Awarded To | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowship | February 15, 2025 | Must be enrolled in a Ph.D program Awarded on merit basis | Up to 15,000 USD per year |
| HHMI International Student Research Fellowships | May 15, 2025 | Must demonstrate excellent talent and innovation in research | Stipend of 30,000 USD |
| Campbell Fellowships for Transformative Research | November 1, 2025 | Available to the female students A personal statement of minimum 150 words describing the purpose, goals, and objectives of applicant’s research project | 4,500 USD per month stipend |
| IBM PhD Fellowship Awards Program | No deadline | Candidates are nominated | Must be enrolled in a full-time PhD program Awarded o the basis of research excellence Academic standings, publications, and endorsements by the applicant | 6,000 to 25,000 USD |
USD 1 = INR 86.70 as on February 1, 2025
Fully Funded Scholarships in USA
A list of the full-ride scholarships to study in USA for Indian students, and their corresponding details is provided below:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Scholarships | Non-US citizen | Equivalent of a bachelor's degree | TOEFL iBT: 79-80 or IELTS: 6.5 | Up to 35,000 USD for masters students |
| ACI Foundation Scholarship | International students attending an university in USA, Canada, or Mexico | 10,000 USD stipend towards tuition, housing, books, and materials |
| Yale University Scholarships | Must be enrolled in a UG, PG or Doctoral program at Yale University. Awarded on merit basis | Over 70,000 USD |
| Stanford University Scholarships | Must pursue a full-time program in Stanford University Excellent academic record | 62,898 USD (Average) |
USD 1 = INR 86.70 as on February 1, 2025
Tips to Get a Scholarship in USA
Securing a scholarship in USA, especially as an international student is highly competitive due to the huge amount of applications submitted. Given below are some tips to avail a scholarship in USA effectively:
- Try to get strong recommendation letters from past teachers or professors
- Highlight your goals and achievements properly in the application
- Apply within the mentioned scholarship deadline
- Make sure to include the updated and authenticated documents
You can also appoint an educational counselor to know in detail about the application process and how to get scholarships to study in USA. The university officials can also be contacted via email or phone to determine the availability of certain scholarships in a particular year.
Education Loan in USA for Indian Students
There are also certain loan facilities available for the aspiring international students in USA. However, you must be aware of certain factors before applying to any educational loans to study in the US:
- International students can apply for a student loan in USA at any time of the year, depending on whether they have qualified in all the exams to study in USA.
- These loans can cover all tuition costs minus any other financial aid available.
- Most lenders in the USA require an international student to have a co-signer.
- The co-signer should be a U.S. citizen with good credit history and has lived in the USA for the past 2 years.
- Attending an eligible school, demonstrating high career potential, and planning on graduating within the next two years are the few eligibility criteria.
Also Check: Education Loans To Study in USA
Securing a scholarship to study in the USA can significantly reduce financial burdens for Indian students across undergraduate, master's, MBA, and PhD programs. Fully funded options like the Fulbright Scholarship and Rotary Peace Fellowships provide comprehensive support, while partial scholarships also play a major role in reducing your expenses. Students should explore multiple opportunities, apply within deadlines, and ensure all required documents are submitted correctly. Strong applications with competitive academic records, well-written essays, and strong recommendations increase the chances of receiving financial aid for Indians in USA.
FAQs
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for UG scholarships in USA for Indian students?
Ans. Undergraduate scholarships in the USA typically require a strong academic record (e.g., GPA 3.5+ or 90%+), standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, or TOEFL/IELTS), and financial need. Some scholarships, like the American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship, also require students to be in the top 10% of their graduating class.
Ques. Are there fully funded scholarships for master's students in USA?
Ans. Yes, fully funded scholarships like the Fulbright Scholarships and Rotary Peace Fellowships cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for eligible international students. These scholarships are highly competitive and often require a strong academic background, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Ques. What are the minimum GMAT/GRE scores required for MBA scholarships in USA?
Ans. Most MBA scholarships do not have fixed GMAT/GRE score requirements, but competitive applicants typically have GMAT scores of 650+ or GRE scores of 320+. Need-based scholarships like the Stanford GSB Need-based Fellowship focus more on financial need, while merit-based ones consider academic excellence and leadership experience.
Ques. Can international PhD students get scholarships in USA without prior publications?
Ans. Yes, some PhD scholarships, like the Franklin Mosher Baldwin Memorial Fellowship, evaluate candidates based on academic merit and potential rather than publications. However, research fellowships such as the IBM PhD Fellowship favor applicants with strong research backgrounds and published work.
Ques. What documents are required to apply for scholarships in USA?
Ans. The document requirements for various scholarships in USA are award-specific. However, common documents required include academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and proof of financial need. Some scholarships, like the Campbell Fellowships for Transformative Research, also require a research proposal or personal statement.
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